Introduction
The development of folklore as a mainstream academic discipline in Indian universities is deeply connected to the historical rise of romanticism and nationalism. These two cultural and political movements shaped how people valued their traditions, language, and identity. In this answer, we will explore how romanticism and nationalism influenced the institutionalization of folklore studies in India and helped bring oral traditions into the center of academic discourse.
What is Romanticism?
- Romanticism was a cultural and literary movement that started in Europe during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- It emphasized emotion, imagination, nature, and the importance of folk traditions over rationalism and scientific logic.
- Romantic writers and thinkers believed that the soul of a nation lived in its folk songs, myths, and oral traditions.
Impact on Folklore
- Romantics collected folk tales, ballads, and songs from rural people and gave them literary importance.
- Example: The Brothers Grimm in Germany collected fairy tales and made them famous across the world.
What is Nationalism?
- Nationalism is the political belief that people with shared language, culture, and history should form a nation.
- In India, nationalism rose during British rule as a movement to reclaim native culture, identity, and pride.
Impact on Folklore
- Nationalist thinkers promoted folk traditions as symbols of Indian culture and resistance to colonialism.
- Folk literature was seen as a source of cultural strength, unity, and pride.
- Example: Rabindranath Tagore, Subramania Bharati, and others used folk music and themes in their nationalistic writings.
Rise of Folklore in Indian Universities
Because of these influences, folklore was gradually introduced as a serious subject in Indian academic spaces:
1. Linguistic and Cultural Revival
- Universities started focusing on regional languages and their oral traditions.
- Departments of literature, linguistics, and cultural studies began collecting and documenting folk tales, songs, and customs.
2. Institutional Support
- Universities such as Visva-Bharati (founded by Tagore) emphasized folk traditions as a part of Indian identity.
- Folk literature became part of language syllabi (e.g., Hindi, Bengali, Tamil) as texts of study.
3. National Cultural Institutions
- Organizations like Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi began promoting folk arts and literature.
- These institutions sponsored research, documentation, and publication of folk traditions.
Examples of Influence
- Tagore’s use of Baul songs: He incorporated folk lyrics into his compositions, calling them the spiritual voice of Bengal.
- Mahasweta Devi’s writings: Highlighted tribal folklore and social justice themes in her fiction.
- Inclusion in curriculum: Folk narratives like Punjabi Heer-Ranjha, Tamil Villu Paatu, and Rajasthani oral ballads are now part of university courses.
Benefits of This Development
- Folklore gained academic respect and scholarly attention.
- Preservation of dying languages and oral forms was made possible.
- It encouraged interdisciplinary studies—linking literature, history, anthropology, and performance arts.
Challenges
- Some critics argue that institutionalization removes the community spirit of folklore.
- Documentation without context may lead to misrepresentation.
Conclusion
The rise of romanticism and nationalism helped create space for folklore in Indian academic institutions. These movements shifted the focus from elite, written texts to the voices of ordinary people. As a result, Indian universities today recognize folklore as a vital part of cultural heritage and identity, deserving of study, preservation, and celebration.